It was a moment no one expected — and one that left even Linda Robson in tears.

During a rare update on Loose Women: The Podcast, the beloved TV host revealed that her lifelong friend and Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke, who stepped back from public life after being diagnosed with dementia in 2021, suddenly remembered her best friend.

Linda recalled how Pauline’s son, Charlie, phoned to share the news that would stay with her forever.

“Charlie rang me and just said she is doing really, really well at the moment,” Linda said softly. “Sometimes she has down days but at the moment she is quite up about everything. Then he told me she asked, ‘Where’s my mate Linda Robson?’ — and I just got quite emotional when he told me that.”

For Linda, those few words meant everything — proof that even as Pauline battles the cruel fog of dementia, their bond remains unbroken.

Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, confirmed earlier this year that she had officially retired from acting. Friends say her condition has sadly worsened, with some days leaving her struggling to recognize even her own family. Birds of a Feather co-writer Maurice Gran described her decline as “gathering pace,” admitting that in the early days Pauline was aware she was “losing her grip,” but now even identifying loved ones has become difficult.

Still, there are moments of light — and for Linda, this one glimmer of recognition was priceless.

“She’s an amazing actress and my best friend,” Linda said through tears. “We’ve been through so much together. I’ll always love her.”

The two first became inseparable while filming Birds of a Feather, which ran from 1989 to 1998 and later returned for festive specials. Alongside Lesley Joseph, they became one of Britain’s most beloved comedy trios — household names who brought laughter and warmth to millions.

“When the show first came out, we got invited to everything,” Linda reminisced. “VIP tickets to Stringfellows, big nights out… we couldn’t believe our luck. It was such a special time — we were like sisters.”

Now, decades later, that sisterhood remains — stronger than ever, even as illness tries to erase what the heart remembers.

Fans across the UK have flooded social media with tributes and prayers, calling Pauline’s brief moment of recognition “a miracle.”
One wrote: “That question — ‘Where’s my friend Linda?’ — says everything. Their friendship is forever.”

As the nation holds its breath and hopes for more moments like this, one truth shines through: friendship can outlast fame, distance, and even memory itself.

💔 “Where’s my friend Linda?” — the question that brought back decades of laughter, love, and memories.

👇 Share this story if you believe true friendship never fades.